A family-of-five escaped their Tonbridge home unharmed after their dishwasher caught alight while they were sleeping.

Three children and their parents were in bed where they woken by a smoke alarm sounding at their house in Larkfield, Five Oak Green at around 11.50pm yesterday.

The youngsters' dad went to investigate and discovered the kitchen appliance was well alight.

He closed the door and rushed his family to safety before calling 999.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service arrived at the scene and used a hose reel jet to stop the keep the damage to a minimum.

Only the kitchen was badly damaged by heat and smoke.

The crew left the scene at about 12.40am.

People are advised to switch off unnecessary electrical appliances before going to bed.